Negotiation
Mediation
Arbitration
Dispute Resolution
James Drayton is an internationally recognised negotiator, arbitrator and
mediator. He is multi-qualified as a UK Solicitor, investment banker, and as a mediator and arbitrator with over 25 years of multi-disciplinary experience in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Mr Drayton's areas of specialisation include corporate law, capital markets,
dispute resolution, cross-border finance and structured finance. Mr Drayton is noted also for his expertise in joint-venture and shareholder disputes, as well as corporate finance and structured finance restructurings. He is a trusted advisor to corporations and their boards, international banks, and non-bank financial entities on property/banking/M&A transactions and related commercial
disputes.
Mr Drayton has a track record of achieving consensual outcomes in live
commercial situations and the resolution of corporate/financial re-structuring, both prior to and during court and legal proceedings. He combines legal
precision with financial and commercial insight to resolve complex issues with discretion and authority.
Areas of Expertise
Commercial & Investment Dispute Resolution
Mergers & Acquisitions (Public and Private)
Cross-Border Dispute Resolution
Banking & Structured Finance
FinTech
Private Equity and Fund Transactions
Legal and Regulatory Risk Management
Debt Factoring
Derivatives, including Interest rate swaps
Loan defaults – claims by banks for non-payment of loans (secured by charges on properties)
Private equity firm constituted loans or investments
Corporate Insolvency-Pan-European
Energy, Infrastructure & Commodities
Corporate Governance & Compliance
Drafting/Negotiating/Facilitating: SPA, SHA, JV, Finance and Settlement Agreements
Recent Cases-2025
Role
Mediator/Change Consultant
Client/Parties
Luxembourg Fund and UK Professional Services Firm
Country
UK
Action
Mediator between funder and borrower to re-establish communication lines, identify areas of dispute and common ground regarding the investment in the firm, facilitating an interim restructuring plan and protocol between the parties to allow for restoration of “Business as Usual” situation between the parties.
Role
Lead Negotiator/Restructuring Consultant
Client/Parties
UK/US Debt Fund/French Court-appointed Administrators; Liquidators
Countries
UK/France
Action
Negotiating/mediating recovery plan for large-scale mixed-use commercial real estate development and steering plan on behalf of funder through French insolvency Courts and Administrators/Liquidators.
Education and
Legal & Professional Affiliations
Education & Legal Qualifications
BEc (University of Sydney)
LLB (university of Sydney
Admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Courts of England & Wales, New South Wales (Australia) and Victoria (Australia)
Legal & Professional Affiliations
Non-Executive Director, Dispute Board Federation (London)
Fellow, Dispute Board Federation (Geneva)
The Law Society of England and Wales
25+
Years of Experience
15+
Juridictions
Core Expertise
Commercial Contracts, Bankling & Finance, Fintech, Corporate Finance, Structure Finance, Restructuring/Insolvency